CVE-2023-5073 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-5073 article provides detailed information about a vulnerability found in the iframe forms plugin for WordPress, making it susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks up to version 1.0.

Understanding CVE-2023-5073

The iframe forms plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 1.0, is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping.

What is CVE-2023-5073?

The CVE-2023-5073 vulnerability in the iframe forms plugin for WordPress allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access and above to inject arbitrary web scripts using the 'iframe' shortcode. These injected scripts execute when a user accesses the affected page.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5073

The impact of CVE-2023-5073 is significant, as it allows attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of the affected site, potentially leading to various consequences such as data theft, unauthorized access, and other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5073

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-5073 vulnerability, providing insights into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping in the iframe forms plugin for WordPress, enabling attackers to inject harmful scripts via the 'iframe' shortcode.

Affected Systems and Versions

The iframe forms plugin for WordPress up to version 1.0 is impacted by CVE-2023-5073, with all versions falling under this range considered vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-5073 requires authenticated access with contributor-level permissions or higher. Attackers can leverage the vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts using the 'iframe' shortcode in affected pages, leading to script execution upon user interaction.

Mitigation and Prevention

In light of CVE-2023-5073, taking immediate steps, incorporating long-term security practices, and ensuring timely patching and updates are crucial to mitigating the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to restrict plugin access to trusted users, monitor for suspicious activities, and implement input validation mechanisms to mitigate the risk of Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance the overall security posture of WordPress websites, it is recommended to regularly update plugins, maintain strong password policies, conduct security audits, and educate users on best practices to prevent security incidents.

Patching and Updates

Users of the iframe forms plugin for WordPress should prioritize applying the latest patches and updates released by the vendor to address the CVE-2023-5073 vulnerability. Regularly checking for security advisories and promptly applying patches is essential to safeguarding against potential exploits.